Year Ender 2025: Gone but Never Forgotten – Dharmendra, Shefali Jariwala, Zubeen Garg – 12 Bollywood Celebrities Who Left Us for Heavenly Abode
Several beloved Bollywood celebrities lost their lives in 2025, leaving a lasting impact n the entertainment industry and their fans. From legendary singers, musical icons, to television personalities, many popular faces left us for heavenly abode this year. Renowned Hindi film and TV personalities like Dharmendra, Asrani, Zubeen Garg, Shefali Jariwala and Kamini Kaushal left us for their heavenly journey, but their memories will live on in the hearts of their admirers forever for their unparalleled contribution. Dharmendra Movies: From ‘Bandini’, ‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’, ‘Sholay’, ‘Apne’, ‘Johnny Gaddaar’, ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ to ‘Ikkis’, a Look at Actor’s Exceptional Film Career.
The deaths of these great cinema icons had a profound effect on the entertainment industry. These talented individuals gave us unforgettable memories through their love for the craft, and their passing has left a huge void. With 2025 nearing its end, here’s a list of Bollywood celebs who passed away this year.
Bollywood Actors Who Passed Away in 2025
1. Manoj Kumar
(Photo Credit: X)
Legendary actor-director Manoj Kumar, aka Bharat Kumar, best known for his patriotic movies, died on April 4, 2025. According to reports, Kumar had been suffering from decompensated liver cirrhosis in the months before his passing, leading to his deteriorating health. Born as Harikrishna Goswami, Kumar marked a niche for himself in Bollywood with iconic films like Shaheed and Upkar, which deeply resonated with the audiences. He will always be remembered for his national pride and films celebrating the spirit of unity.
2. Kamini Kaushal
(Photo Credit: Instagram)
Kamini Kaushal, considered one of the last remaining stars of the Golden Era of Indian cinema, breathed her last on November 14, 2025. The legendary actress, who made her acting debut with Neecha Nagar in 1946, was also recognised at the international level after winning the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, making her the first Indian to receive the honour. Her last on-screen appearance was in Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha in 2022.
3. Sulakshana Pandit
(Photo Credit: X)
Veteran singer and actor Sulakshana Pandit died in Mumbai on November 7 after a prolonged illness. She passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest. Suakshana was from a distinguished musical lineage and was the sister of iconic music composer duo Jatin-Lalit and the niece of legendary classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj. May her soul rest in peace.
4. Pankaj Dheer
(Photo Credit: Instagram)
Actor Pankaj Dheer, best remembered for his portrayal as Karna in BR Chopra’s iconic mythological show Mahabharat, died on October 15 at the age of 68. Dheer had been battling cancer for a while, and things changed for the worse after the disease relapsed. In passing left an irreplacable void in Hindi television and cinema.
5. Deb Mukherji
Deb Mukherji with Kajol (Photo Credit: Instagram)
Veteran actor, director and producer Deb Mukherji died on March 14 at the age of 83 due to age-related ailments. His filmography includes titles like Ek Baar Muskurado, Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool and King Uncle. Deb Mukherji was the father of filmmaker Ayan Mukerji and uncle to actresses Rani Mukerji and Kajol.
6. Achyut Potdar
(Photo Credit: Instagram)
Film and television actor Achyut Potdar, remembered for his role as a professor in Aamir Khan’s hit 2007 film 3 Idiots, also breathed his last on August 18, 202,5, at the age of 90. He had acted in over 125 Hindi and Marathi films and worked in over 100 TV shows. His iconic dialogue “Are kehna kya chahte ho” will become a viral sensation on social media.
7. Asrani
(Photo Credit: Instagram)
One of the greatest comedy actors in the history of Hindi cinema, Gowardhan Asrani, better known as Asrani, left fans heartbroken after he breathed his last on October 20, 2025, at the age of 84. From his portrayal of the quirky jailer in Sholay to his iconic comedy roles in Priyadarshan movies, Asrani remains an immortal figure in Hindi cinema, with a career spanning over five decades and 350 films.
8. Sandhya Shantaram
(Photo Credit: X)
Veteran actress Sandhya Shantaram, another legendary figure from Indian cinema’s golden period, died on October 4. The actress known for her memorable roles in classics like Pinjra and Do Ankhen Barah Hath was the wife of late filmmaker V Shantaram.
9. Satish Shah
(Photo Credit: X)
Veteran actor Satish Shah, who was best known for his role as Indravadhan Sarabhai in fan-favourite sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, died on October 25 at the age of 74. He reportedly passed away due to kidney failure. Shah featured in over 200 films and television shows in a career spanning five decades.
10. Shefali Jariwala
(Photo Credit: Instagram)
Actor and model Shefali Jariwala, who shot to overnight fame with the iconic music video of the “Kaanta Laga” song in the early 2000s, passed away at the young age of 42 after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest. The news of her sudden passing sent shockwaves across the entertainment industry, leaving many in disbelief. Apart from her breakout role in “Kaanta Laga’ music video, she also starred in Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan’s 2004 film Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.
11. Zubeen Garg
(Photo Credit: Instagram)
Playback singer and Assamese culture icon Zubeen Garg, best remembered for his hit track “Ya Ali” from Emraan Hashmi’s film Gangster, left the country in shock after he died on September 19 in Singapore. The 52-year-old singer breathed his last after a scuba diving plan went wrong. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been set up by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to probe the unnatural death of the musical icon.
12. Dharmendra
(Photo Credit: Instagram)
Though every celebrity has had their own contribution, the most recent passing of any Bollywood celebrity that left a deep impact on the hearts of fans was that of the legendary Hindi cinema actor Dharmendra. Dharmendra Deol, aka Bollywood’s He-Man, breathed his last on November 24 after battling age-related complications. We are in December, and fans continue to pay heartfelt tributes to the legendary actor and express their sorrow over losing a gem. With films like Sholay, Phool Aur Patthar and Seeta Aur Geeta, Dharmendra will forever be remembered for his iconic screen presence and contribution to Indian cinema. ‘Our Happy Together Moments’: Hema Malini Pens Emotional Note for Husband Dharmendra on His 90th Birth Anniversary (View Pics).
The year 2025 has been marked with an overwhelming sense of grief in the Hindi entertainment industry as a lot of talented individuals have left us for the heavenly abode. We might not be surrounded by these great personalities anymore, but they will forever remain engraved in our memories for the impact they left through this beautiful art called cinema.
(The above story first appeared on Today News 24 on Dec 09, 2025 10:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website todaynews24.top).
